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kaynova's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a great audiobook. I loved Jeanette’s voice for this.
The plot was great. I loved the discovery of the letters and the truth behind it. This feeling of never being accepted unless you conform into something society wants you to be, which shows differently in Alberta and even Edie who are totally different the stereotypes of what people presume black girls are. Alberta is a surfer who’s vegan and doesn’t mind getting her hair wet and Edie likes wearing dark clothes, comics, and classic literature. They don’t have to be anything else but even in modern times, it feels that way, which brings me to my biggest issue about this book.
I wished Laramie thought more about her words and actions and I also wished Alberta wasn’t so forgiving for some of the microaggressions that was thrown out there. I know this is juvenile fiction book, so it can’t be as harsh when it comes to friendships but if you’re going to be friends with a BIPOC person, it’s better to educate yourself. There were moments where I was so happy to hear Alberta push back on those comments, but Laramie never really apologized or own up to it. And a part of their friendship plot weighed heavy on this mean and racist girl who’s Alberta’s neighbor and I didn’t like how that was handled. If you’re hanging out with my opp, we are not friends!
But again, I had to remind myself that this is a juvenile fiction book and I am an adult who thinks differently then 12 year olds. I do think this is a phenomenal book to get in touch about history and how our history is everywhere around us, and how friendships are important. So I hope someone gives this a read or give it to a group of students as a reading recommendation.
The plot was great. I loved the discovery of the letters and the truth behind it. This feeling of never being accepted unless you conform into something society wants you to be, which shows differently in Alberta and even Edie who are totally different the stereotypes of what people presume black girls are. Alberta is a surfer who’s vegan and doesn’t mind getting her hair wet and Edie likes wearing dark clothes, comics, and classic literature. They don’t have to be anything else but even in modern times, it feels that way, which brings me to my biggest issue about this book.
I wished Laramie thought more about her words and actions and I also wished Alberta wasn’t so forgiving for some of the microaggressions that was thrown out there. I know this is juvenile fiction book, so it can’t be as harsh when it comes to friendships but if you’re going to be friends with a BIPOC person, it’s better to educate yourself. There were moments where I was so happy to hear Alberta push back on those comments, but Laramie never really apologized or own up to it. And a part of their friendship plot weighed heavy on this mean and racist girl who’s Alberta’s neighbor and I didn’t like how that was handled. If you’re hanging out with my opp, we are not friends!
But again, I had to remind myself that this is a juvenile fiction book and I am an adult who thinks differently then 12 year olds. I do think this is a phenomenal book to get in touch about history and how our history is everywhere around us, and how friendships are important. So I hope someone gives this a read or give it to a group of students as a reading recommendation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Racism
michaelion's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
So cute. I, too, am a Black girl from California. I love when kids books aren't cringe. This one doesn't talk down to it's audience so extra points.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Racial slurs, Abandonment, and Grief
erinrebecca922's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Fun fact: this book has been banned from schools! This made me want to read it even more.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
kat_smith24's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the writing style and enjoyed the storyline. Once the journal subplot started, I found the book hard to put down. I loved Alberta’s character, and I don’t think I’ve ever read a book about an LGBT+ adoptive family of color. Well deserved as a Rebecca Caudill nominee.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Racism
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Gaslighting
mandkips's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Bullying, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Homophobia and Death
nytephoenyx's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved this book! The Only Black Girls in Town is an engaging middle grade novel that discusses friendship, family, and fitting in. It takes the reader on a journey through several types of family units and friendships while also addressing the challenges of growing up. There’s discussions about racism and school hierarchy and a mystery tangled in too… it’s good! Completely good.
The Only Black Girls in Town reads like an older middle grade/younger YA book. Al and her friends are entering the seventh grade and as such they’re at a point in their life where they are searching for their own identities. This comes in several shades, including the way they present themselves to the world and the people they spend their time with. While Alberta is technically our protagonist, we get the see different stories in her two best friends, Laramie and Edie. There is so much representation in this book on small levels, the types of things that normally are forgotten. It was really nice to see the variety of lived experiences between the three girls, let alone everyone else in the story.
While I would say that the bulk of the novel deals with Al and friends’ experiences growing up in their small town community, the subplot surrounding Constance also tells us an important truth. In some ways, it reminded me of this book I liked when I was growing up, Paperquake, in that it involves finding mysterious journals and such in an old house. But that is where the similarities end – Constance’s story exists to cast a light in how recently segregation was a part of daily American life – less on “how far we have come” and more on “we still have so far to go”.
I also enjoyed Constance’s story because it shows how even though Al always thought she was an “only”, there are so many people out there who are part of the community. The Only Black Girls in Town addresses experiences for those of mixed race – both historically and in modernity. While I am not qualified to declare it was done well since I am not Black or of mixed race, I can say that as an outsider, I was really nice to see.
The Only Black Girls in Town is an easy recommendation. It’s a mix of contemporary struggles and a historically rooted mystery and as such keeps the reader engaged and rooting for Al and her friends. I haven’t discussed the gay couple, artist commune living, and holistic pregnancy, but all of that is really nice to see as well. The entire book is accessible to its reader base and never feels childish, the way some middle grade novels do. The Only Black Girls in Town very much needs to be available to students in school libraries – this is the type of book that represents many different people in many different ways and it is an excellent read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Toxic friendship and Death
knifewifestan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Racism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Homophobia
linesiunderline's review
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Brandy Colbert has a deft touch. It is impressive to me that she is able to build a story for a middle grade audience that at times addresses tough realities - racism, bullying, claiming one’s identity - without ever veering towards being preachy or heavy handed.
This novel is subtle and layered and is often funny and packed with heart. I loved Alberta’s family so much. Their relationships sprung off the page and never felt too good to be true. Also, all of the struggles related to middle school were so realistically brought to life. Meanwhile, the mystery of the journals adds a whole extra element as Alberta and Edie confront an aspect of Black history in a way that feels very personal and impactful.
Also it’s always so satisfying when the place in a story feels easy to imagine, like a place you’d want to visit. Sign me up to go to Ewing Beach anytime to take surfing lessons from Alberta. I’ll stay at the B&B and spend some quality time with these sweet characters.
A winner. I’m off to read more by this author!
This novel is subtle and layered and is often funny and packed with heart. I loved Alberta’s family so much. Their relationships sprung off the page and never felt too good to be true. Also, all of the struggles related to middle school were so realistically brought to life. Meanwhile, the mystery of the journals adds a whole extra element as Alberta and Edie confront an aspect of Black history in a way that feels very personal and impactful.
Also it’s always so satisfying when the place in a story feels easy to imagine, like a place you’d want to visit. Sign me up to go to Ewing Beach anytime to take surfing lessons from Alberta. I’ll stay at the B&B and spend some quality time with these sweet characters.
A winner. I’m off to read more by this author!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Racism
oliviasuzanne's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Homophobia